FAQs on Four-Day School Week

(updated 10/13/21)

Simple Answer: It will add time to Monday through Thursday school days, and not add days to the school year.

Detailed Response: On October 11, 2021, our school board approved a calendar that was proposed by the district calendar committee. Click here to see that approved calendar for the 2022-2023 school year. The proposed calendar adds about 40 minutes to the elementary and middle school day and about one hour to the high school day, as compared to the current 2021-22 school days. The calendar also exceeds the required amount instructional hours for the school year. (The required number of instructional hours per school year are 450 hours for kindergarten, 810 hours for 1st through 3rd grade, 900 hours for 4th through 8th grade, and 990 hours for 9th through 12th grade. For more details see Idaho Code 33-512.)

(updated 4/22/21)

Simple Answer: To help ensure that we can provide high-quality teachers for our children.

Detailed Response: We recognize that the best thing that our school district can do for our students is to provide them with high-quality teachers and staff to support them in their learning. However, trends in Idaho, as well across the country, show an extreme shortage of teachers. We are fortunate that we have been able to fill our teaching positions by using different means to find suitable candidates, but the applicant pools have become smaller and smaller. We also have offered positions to teacher candidates who have opted to accept positions in districts that are on a four-day school week. Additionally, we have support staff positions that have been open all school year. We are extremely grateful for all the excellent faculty and staff who add to the human capital of our school district. We are also exploring additional steps we can take to recruit and retain top-notch educators to support our children.

Recognizing the challenges that the teacher shortage is causing for school districts and in response to recommendations from staff and community members, the school district tasked an administrator intern from Boise State University, Lucas Younger, to research four-day school weeks and perceptions about four-day school weeks from New Plymouth School District stakeholders. Lucas conducted research into studies of the school districts inside and outside of Idaho that have transitioned to a four-day school week. He also conducted surveys of NPSD parents and staff to gather local perception data. The studies indicated that transitioning to a four-day schools week did not impact student performance and that the success of four-day school weeks depends upon stakeholder commitment. The research also showed that there could be potential health risks to children who do not have adequate supervision, proper nutrition, and social-emotional support on non-school days. On a local level, Lucas's surveys showed that 66% of NPSD parents and 83% of NPSD staff members were in favor of transitioning to a four-day school week. Click here to see Lucas Younger's presentation on four-day school weeks, which he presented to our school board during their February 2021 meeting.

(updated 8/25/21)

Simple Answer: A committee made up of school parents, teachers, administrators, department directors, and board members worked to make a recommendation to our school board.

Detailed Response: Seeing that a majority of parents and staff surveyed indicated that they are in favor of a four-day school week, the district expanded its school calendar committee to include our principals and department directors to discuss the possibility of transitioning to a four-day school week. This committee decided to conduct a follow-up survey to gather parent comments and find parents to serve on this committee. The committee purposefully selected parents from each of our schools who indicated that they were in favor of a four-day school week and parents who indicated they were not in favor of a four-day school week.

Since our calendar committee is a committee of our school board, the school board approved all those who would serve on this extended calendar committee, or "four-day school week committee". Being a committee of the board, this committee is required to follow all open meeting laws. This meant that all meeting dates, times, and locations for the committee meetings were posted, our board clerk kept minutes for the meeting, and the public was welcome to observe the committee meetings. The purpose of this committee was to make a recommendation to the school board regarding a four-day school week. The school board makes the final decisions regarding a four-day school week.

The following is a list of those on the four-day school week committee:

• Jamie Hawker (parent of an elementary school student)

• Ben Ward (parent of an elementary school student)

• Erica Oxnam (parent of a middle school student)

• Amy Brownell (parent of a middle school student)

• Amy Gibbons (parent of a high school student)

• Grant Ballard (parent of a high school student)

• Cherry Meckert (elementary school teacher)

• Shannon Zimmerman (middle school teacher)

• Carole Henggeler (high school teacher)

• Sean King (elementary school principal)

• Joe Hally (middle school principal)

• Dan Hull (high school principal)

• Whitney Cowgill (federal programs/curriculum director)

• Janessa Thomas (assistant special education director)

• Barbara Alsop (child nutrition director)

• Mike Hally (transportation/maintenance director)

• Dallan Rupp (athletic director)

• Tom Morin (technology director)

• David Sotutu (superintendent/special education director)

• Shannon Reece (school board clerk)

• Dani Rollins (school board trustee)

• Dean Jones (school board trustee)

• Lane Austin (school board trustee)

(updated 8/9/21)

Simple Answer: The change to a four-day school week would start in August 2022.

Detailed Response: The current plan is to start the 2022-2023 school year in a four-day school week model.

(updated 4/22/21)

Simple Answer: This is still to be determined.

Detailed Response: At this point, the four-day school week committee has discussed grants and partnerships that the school district could pursue to provide for students and families. These discussions center mainly on what other school districts and their communities have been able to provide. Such services include meals, tutoring, clubs, and other activities.

(updated 4/29/21)

Simple Answer: More time for families, healthier kids, and better attendance on school days.

Detailed Response: According a survey that was distributed to parents of New Plymouth School District students in February 2021, 63.7% of the 325 respondents indicated that they were in favor of changing to a four-day school week. The top three themes in the comments that those parents submitted were: 1.) It would be better for family schedules and allow for more family time; 2.) Kids would be physically, mentally, and emotionally healthier; and 3.) School attendance would be better on school days because students would miss less school for appointments and other activities that could be scheduled on Friday. Other themes included: More time for students to complete assignments and participate in other activities during a long weekend; It seems to be working well for other school districts; More preparation and renewal time for teachers; Students would give a better effort on school days; Helps kids chore/work schedules; Saving school district resources; and Attracting and keeping quality teachers.

(updated 4/29/21)

Simple Answer: Hard for working parents/child care problems, loss of learning/teaching/socialization with one less day of school, and a longer/more intense school day.

Detailed Response: According the survey that was distributed to parents of New Plymouth School District students in February 2021, 25.2% of the 325 respondents indicated that they were opposed to changing to a four-day school week. The top three themes in the comments that those parents submitted were: 1.) It would create a challenge for working parents who would need to find childcare for that extra non-school day; 2.) With one less day of school per week, students would have less time for learning at school, being taught by a teacher, and socializing with their peers; and 3.) A longer, more intense school day would be hard on kids. Other themes included: One less day for the kids who need the resources and stability of the school; It would not prepare kids to work a five-day work week; Longer school year; Kids would get in trouble when they are not in school; Would be hard on children with disabilities and who struggle; Makes the weekend too long; and Fear of other unintended consequences.

(updated 4/22/21)

Simple Answer: No.

Detailed Response: In the model that the four-day school week is discussing, teachers would not work less hours per week/month due to the extended school day. This would also provide for more time for professional development, in-service, and preparation days throughout the school year. Teachers would work the same amount of hours that they are working on a five-day school week. That being the case, teacher salaries would not be decreased due to a change to a four-day school week.

(updated 4/22/21)

Simple Answer: No.

Detailed Response: In talking with officials from school districts that are on a four-day school week, we have determined that any cost savings from transitioning to a four-day school week would be minimal. Employees would work similar hours due to the longer school day and buildings will still be used for activities on Fridays. However, there are some savings on fuel costs since school buses would be running routes one day less and some savings in energy costs from using only parts of the schools on Fridays.

Cost savings would not be a major factor in the decision to transition to a four-day school week, or not.

(updated 4/21/21)

Three of our six neighboring school districts are currently on a four-day school week. The Middleton and Payette School Districts started a four-day school week this school year. The Notus School District has been on a four-day school week for the past ten years. Other school districts in our region that are on a four-day school week include Melba, Marsing, Homedale, Vale, Cambridge, Midvale, Horseshoe Bend, and Council. Currently, 52 of the 115 school districts in Idaho are on a four-day school week.

(updated 4/21/21)

If you have additional information that you would like to share or would like to ask additional questions about a four-day school week, you can contact a member of the four-day school week committee or click here to complete a feedback/question form.

The four-day school week committee will discuss these comments and questions in their meetings. The committee would especially like to hear your insights into how this change would affect your family.